Today marks the second-to-last day of the 2025 Legislative Session!
While we've fought hard every step of the way–speaking out in Committee hearings, engaging with our elected officials, participating in advocacy days at the State Capitol, and mobilizing our members to make their voices heard, we are deeply disappointed that our legislators on both sides of the aisle have once again failed our communities–killing many critical bills that would have protected our children, lands, waters, and futures while holding polluters accountable for the harm they've caused.
Over the next week, our team at YUCCA will be taking some time off to rest, recover, and regroup from a whirlwind 60 days of advocacy and action at the Legislature. But stay tuned - the fight isn't over, and we're not backing down! In the coming weeks, we'll be sharing our in-depth analysis of the 2025 Legislative Session, updates on the status of our priority bills, and our insights on what comes next in the fight for climate and environmental justice.
In the meantime, we have some initial updates to share, including a few major wins for key bills and what they mean for our movement. Read on to learn more, and as always, thank you for standing with us in the fight.
PALESTINE WILL BE FREE: FREEDOM FOR PALESTINE DAY AT THE ROUNDHOUSE
Earlier this week, we were honored to stand in solidarity with 17 other organizations during Freedom for Palestine Day at the Roundhouse to tell our elected officials that it's time to:
Divest all New Mexico funds from the Israeli War Machine
Protect free speech for all students, faculty, and protesters in New Mexico
End home demolitions and dispossessions in the Occupied West Bank
And demand unlimited and immediate humanitarian aid to Gaza
Alongside other powerful speakers and artists, YUCCA Organizing Program Coordinator Sofia Jenkins-Nieto spoke about the deep ties between colonialism, the climate crisis, & the genocide in Palestine, and YUCCA Campaign Organizer Zephyr Jaramillo participated in a powerful collaborative poem and performance as we demanded immediate action from our elected officials.
But as we stood together in New Mexico, more than 400 people in Gaza were killed in a single day as Israel resumed indiscriminate bombings–marking one of the deadliest days in the genocide to date. Families are being forced to bury their loved ones. Homes & hospitals are turned to rubble. And still, our leaders remain complicit.
We can't look away. We refuse to be silent.
From Chevron, to defense contractors and the U.S. military, the same companies and entities that pollute our land and water – many of which back dangerous bills that would put our communities at risk and delay meaningful climate action – are benefitting from and perpetuating the genocide. The fight for climate justice is inseparable from the fight for a free Palestine.
5 CRITICAL BILLS HEAD TO THE GOVERNOR'S DESK!
On Wednesday, S.B. 21, The Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Act, was sent to the Governor's desk for her signature after passing the New Mexico House of Representatives by a 43-25 vote! ✅
Until now, we were one of only three states to leave permitting for federally-protected waters in the hands of the Environmental Protection Agency. S.B. 21 changes this by allowing New Mexico to take over pollution prevention permitting currently done by the EPA, while also creating a permitting program to protect the 95% of our waterways and 88% of our wetlands that have lost federal protections under the Clean Water Act.
As the Federal government continues to attempt to roll back critical environmental protections – spanning everything from emissions limits, to water protections, to bedrock scientific findings that would allow industry to continue poisoning our water and polluting our air – the passage of this bill couldn't have come at a more critical time.
But our work isn't done - the Governor still needs to sign The Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Act into law to allow these critical protections to take effect.
☎️ You can help to get this bill across the finish line today by contacting the Governor's office by phone at 505-476-2200 or by email (click here!) to urge her to sign S.B. 21 into law to protect our waters and communities.
S.B. 48, The Community Benefit Fund, was also sent to the Governor's desk for her signature this week! ✅
This bill, introduced by Senator Mimi Stewart, is a reflection of YUCCA's longstanding call for the establishment of a just transition fund that moves New Mexico away from our toxic dependence on the oil and gas industry. S.B. 48 directs funding to clean energy projects, energy efficiency initiatives, and workforce training programs – and will invest in our communities who are experiencing the disproportionate impacts of the climate crisis, continued pollution, and environmental injustice.
The Community Benefit Fund would support our communities with the resources we need to modernize our infrastructure, improve public health, and advance sustainable economic development – and now, its awaiting the Governor's signature.
📢 Help us implement S.B. 48 today by contacting Governor Lujan Grisham by email or phone at 505-476-2200 to urge her to sign The Community Benefit Fund into law.
H.B. 128, The NMFA Local Solar Access Fund, another one of our priority bills, was also passed by the Legislature on Thursday after passing the Senate Floor by a 24-16 vote. ✅
This bill from Public Power NM will expand access to solar energy by establishing a grant fund at the New Mexico Finance Authority, which will issue both planning and implementation grants to Tribes, counties, municipalities, school districts, and Land Grants for solar and storage projects to power public buildings like community centers, libraries, schools, and fire stations, and infrastructure like water, wastewater, and street lighting.
🖊️ Now, The Local Solar Access Fund is on the Governor's desk. Help to urge her to sign this critical legislation into law by taking action today with our friends at Public Power NM!
In addition, S.B. 23, Oil and Gas Royalty Rate Changes, passed the Legislature and was sent to the Governor's desk on Thursday to help ensure that the wealth extracted from our lands is reinvested in our people and communities. ✅
This bill will generate billions of additional dollars for our public schools, hospitals, and universities by setting a new royalty rate for “premium” parcels of state land trust leased in the most productive oil and gas area in the broader Permian Basin – allowing the State Land Office to implement a new top royalty rate of 20-25% to ensure that oil and gas companies pay their fair share.
The revenue generated from this new top royalty rate – which is already demanded by Texas and private landowners across New Mexico – will help to fund public education, healthcare, and other essential services while providing the chance for our state to plan for a just transition that advances a shift towards sustainable economic development.
💻 You can help to get this bill across the finish line by contacting the Governor's office by email (click here!) or by phone at 505-476-2200 to urge her to sign S.B. 23 into law to support our communities with the funding and resources they deserve.
Lastly, H.B. 91, Public Utility Rate Structures, was passed on the Senate Floor on Thursday by a 26-16 vote, sending this important bill to the Governor's desk to help make public utilities work for everyone – not just the wealthy. ✅
H.B. 91 will help to advance energy justice and ensure that our energy system is fair, equitable, & accessible to all New Mexicans by allowing for rate structures that reduce the burden of high energy costs on low-income customers, prevent utility debt from becoming a permanent crisis, and promote affordability & continuity of service.
Energy is a basic necessity. No one should have to choose between paying their utility bill and putting food on the table – Public Utility Rate Structures will expand access to energy efficiency programs and implement fair rate structures will not only help families stay afloat but will also make our energy system more resilient and just.
💡 Next, this bill needs to be signed into law by the Governor! Take action today by calling or emailing Governor Lujan Grisham at 505-476-2200 or by clicking here to urge her to sign H.B. 91 to advance energy justice for communities across our state.
JUST ONE DAY LEFT: 2 KEY BILLS STILL AWAITING HEARINGS!
With just 1 day left in the 2025 Legislative Session, two of our priority bills are still awaiting hearings in the Senate Judiciary Committee before they can be sent to the Senate Floor for final passage.
H.B. 169, The Public Expression Protection Act, would protect advocates and activists from SLAPP Suits (Strategic Lawsuits Against Participation), which are tools used by those in positions of power to attempt to intimidate us, drain us of our resources, and silence our voices.
35 other states and Washington D.C. have already passed anti-SLAPP laws, but New Mexico's laws against SLAPP Suits remain some of the weakest in the nation – earning us a D grade from the Institute of Free Speech. It's critical for us to get this bill across the finish line to protect our first amendment rights and stand up to those who want to use the legal system as a weapon to silence dissent and push their agendas without opposition.
Amidst growing attacks on our community members at the Federal level, YUCCA is also supporting H.B. 9, The Immigrant Safety Act, which would help to protect our immigrant communities from documented human rights abuses in detention centers, including excessive solitary confinement, inadequate medical care, and multiple deaths in custody since 2022.
This bill offers New Mexico a critical opportunity to stand on the right side of history, joining 7 other states in ending our complicity in immigration detention.
📢 Take action today to help us pass H.B. 169, The Public Expression Protection Act and H.B. 9, The Immigrant Safety Act!
Contact Senate Judiciary Committee Chair Joseph Cervantes at 505-986-4861 and emailing him at joseph.cervantes@nmlegis.gov to urge him to schedule these 2 critical bills for hearings today.
JOIN US ON MARCH 31ST: NO FALSE SOLUTIONS 102 TRAINING & LEGISLATIVE SESSION REPORT BACK
False solutions are everywhere–pushed by corporations and policymakers who claim to act on climate but keep fueling the crisis.
When YUCCA returns to the office, we'll join UNM LEAF, ASUNM, and the New Mexico No False Solutions Coalition to host a No False Solutions 102 Training and Legislative Session Report-Back on Monday, March 31st from 4:00-6:00 pm, where we'll break down industry greenwashing tactics, how these policies impact New Mexico, and how we can fight back.
We'll also report back on key takeaways from this year's legislative session–what passed, what didn't, and what the outcome of the legislative session means for our communities and the fight for climate justice. Don't forget to register to join us by clicking the button below–we'd love to see you there!
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